So, who am I... and how can that help you?

The short answer is, I’m a woman who’s learned a whole ton about how to thrive, not just survive, in the midst of the chaos that is being human, and I’m on a mission to help you do the same. After years of trying to figure out what the hell was wrong with me, I cried tears of sweet relief, when I finally realized that my soul had been trying to get my attention for decades, and to my detriment, I'd been ignoring it.

Never. Again.

Now, my soul and I are besties. Because I KNOW it will never steer me wrong. Now, every single day I practice courage, while simultaneously being terrified, because my soul is a brave one, and so is yours. I know you're capable of re-connecting with your soul, healing your heart, and being who you really are, too. I also know, without a doubt, that we’re all in this together, even if it doesn't always seem that way. To feel free to be who we truly are, and connected to our tribe, isn't that what we all really want, if we're being honest with ourselves?

Soul Liberation!

The longer answer is…

Well, that’s a loaded question! Really, who can define themselves in just a few sentences, or even a couple of paragraphs? This whole being human thing is super complicated, and ever evolving. But, because I like you, and because I hope that hearing a little bit more about my story will encourage you, and make you feel less alone, I’ll give it a try…

I’m a lot of the same things many people are – wife, mom, sister, daughter. Even those things aren’t always as simple as they sound though, right? I've got a ton of childhood/past life/present life baggage (like many of you), that I've worked my butt off to move through. Sometimes, it still trips me up, because I'm human.

I’m a certified teacher, who taught elementary school for about 10 years, a trained astrologer, tarot reader, and a certified life coach. Truthfully, 'life coach' is a label I don’t really love, because it’s generic, often misunderstood, and doesn’t fully describe the work I do, but it’s a familiar term, so I use it. I also write a blog, when I'm inspired to, because writing is super cheap therapy. Sometimes, I teach workshops and classes, and I have a YouTube Channel.

I went to school for a crazy long time, and have never really stopped. I have a voracious appetite for learning. My middle name is, Curious. Okay, it’s Lynne, but that makes me sound like a country singer, and I’m a little more rock and roll. Anyhow, I managed to earn a few degrees – the one I like to tell people about is my B.A. in Anthropology, which is kind of weird because that’s also when my panic and anxiety was off the hook. But it was my favourite, and it sounds way cooler than Political Science, Human Development, or Education (which are the other things I studied in University).

I kind of consider all of that stuff, plus the fact that I’ve had too many jobs to count, the more practical side of who I am.

Here’s where things get more interesting...

I’m an empath, someone who feels ALL the feels – (my own, yours, and everyone else’s). Some people use the term, ‘intuitive’, which I’m cool with, but I'm not super comfortable with the term ‘psychic’, because the practical/intellectual/skeptical side of me cringes when I hear that word. It has so many stereotypes attached to it. Although, I absolutely believe there are some folks who are legit psychic. I’ve even met/worked with a few. I've also been told by legit psychics that I need to own it, and just embrace it as part of who I am. Truthfully, I'm still not there - so in the meantime, I'll stick with how I'm comfortable describing myself.

This whole being an energy/feeling sponge thing, caused me a lot of grief, anxiety, and several mystery/chronic illnesses in my childhood, right up until my 30s, when I went through a very dark night of the soul, that prompted me to really start learning more about energy, alternative healing, and the occult (which just means, hidden knowledge). I finally started acknowledging, that the ‘mystical’ stuff I had experienced, and been fascinated with (but kept mostly quiet about) since I was a kid, wasn’t just fluff, coincidence, or party tricks, but is as real and valid (maybe even more so) as the stuff they teach in school. Well, except for The School of Witchery, which I’m a student of. It’s like Hogwarts, only it’s for real, and online. Incidentally, I'm o.k. if you call me a Witch too. I'll totally own that label

Over the last couple of decades or so,through immersing myself in a ton of teachings, trainings, and practices (including mindfulness meditation, medical intuition, reiki, homeopathy, yoga, tarot, and astrology), and going through some really difficult personal situations, leading to several runs of therapy (some of which actually helped), I’ve learned to let go of a whole lot of baggage, and to embrace, and hone my gift of feeling all the feels. I now consider it a kind of superpower, that I prefer to use for good.

Truthfully, being a super-feeler can get downright exhausting, even overwhelming. As a result, self-care has become something I’ve had to cultivate for my own sanity, and self-preservation, and because my family likes me a lot more when I’m not a tired, moody, raving lunatic. Also, if you're going to offer yourself up to people in the way I do, you can't truly be of service, unless you're willing to do the work on yourself, and keep yourself in an optimal state of wellness. After decades on this spiritual path, I continue to do the work on myself, because if we're being honest, there is always work to do!

I'm a practitioner of Evolutionary & Transformational Astrology. I've had an affinity for astrology since I was a kid, but began more in depth study later in life. I began studying on my own, then took classes locally. I've also completed courses through the School of Witchery, and studied under the brilliant astrologer, psychotherapist, and author,Mark Jones. I've earned a certificate of completion, for the Transformational Astrology Foundations Course, through his Pluto School Tuition Program, and Astrology University. I began using this profound form of practical magic in my work with clients, because of the healing impact it’s had on my own life.

I also use tarot, and have studied informally on my own, and formally through the School of Witchery. Tarot is an old and most powerful means of tapping into higher wisdom, and has been an incredibly validating and healing tool in my own life.

I've always been a feet firmly planted on the ground, head in the clouds kind of girl. Half submersed in earthly, practical reality, and half floating in the mystical realms. I'm a realist, who believes wholeheartedly in magic. This is how I approach the work I do with people. Whether it be through, astrology & tarot readings, personal consultations, group workshops, or just connecting with folks via social media.

I guess the last thing I think you should know about me is that I have an intense relationship with truth, as both a seeker, and a teller. I have a finely tuned bullshit detector. It’s authenticity or bust for this girl! Which is both a blessing and a curse.

If it’s not true or authentic, I know it, and I get physically uncomfortable, which makes it really hard to be around certain people, and situations. I sometimes feel like that kid in the story, The Emperor’s New Clothes. You know the one where the guy is naked, and everyone is afraid to say anything, but the kid is all like, ‘Um…Seriously? Are we all gonna just stand here, and pretend this isn’t happening?’ Yeah, that’s me.

Which is partly why I had chronic stomach issues, and some other kooky stuff growing up. I spent a lot of energy trying to ignore, or numb out, my intuition. The mind/body/soul connection is a powerful thing! I was around people and situations that weren't always, shall we say, aligned with the truth. Now as an adult, when people are evading the truth in their actions or words (even if they don’t mean to, or aren't conscious of it themselves), my Spidey senses start firing like a boss. Sometimes, I have to bite my tongue hard, and take lots of deep breaths to prevent myself from calling bullshit, when it’s just not appropriate or worth it. Other times, I have to walk away for the higher good. Setting boundaries like a ninja, allows me to keep my heart open. Sounds like a contradiction, but really, it's just one more form of practical magic.

There's a bunch more stuff I could tell you.Life's complicated right? It's never a straight line. If you're really curious, you'll find out more on my blog. This post is a good place to start, and will give you a pretty clear picture of the lowest low I bounced back from. This one will tell you more than you ever wanted to know.

Thanks for taking the time to read all this! I'd love to help you with whatever you're going through. I know from experience that sometimes we all need a little help! If that sounds like something you're interested in, check out my Services

Shine on brave soul!

xo Lara

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This Week's Witchy Wednesday!

Witchy Wednesday - February 14, 2018

Every Wednesday on YouTube, I do a free astrology and card reading, where I talk about the pertinent astrology, and general energy for the week. Check it out, and make sure to subscribe to my channel when you're there!

Aquarius Solar Eclipse. Life is What Happens When We're Busy Making Other Plans! Restlessness, Shake Ups, Insights, and Sudden Shifts.I've been feeling the eclipse vibes in a big way! I actually had some trouble getting my words out today, because my brain is a bit of a jumble right now. But, I got my act together eventually, so bear with me!

This week, the Solar Eclipse in conjunction with Mercury, sextile Uranus, and square Jupiter, is likely to bring about flashes of insight, sudden change, opportunity, exaggerated emotions, and new beginning that may feel a little uncertain. The Hierophant has a message to be mindful of how we're conforming, to align ourselves with groups, traditions, and a tribe that feels right for us. It also reminds us that we grow stronger in the broken places. Is it time to be your own shaman? Or do you need to search out teachers and guides that resonate with you? The time for the blending of science/tradition, and spirituality, is ripe.